Chapter 4

Criminal Number One

"Your new orders have come in," Pike said gravely to Spock and McCoy, his words echoing in his near-silent office. "We're going to be shipping the Enterprise out in the next couple of days."

Pike sat across from them, his hands folded tensely before him on top of the table. Documents with the official Federation logos stamped on them were placed neatly under his palms. Lines around his lips were stretched in a cautious frown as his grey eyes warily watched both Spock's and McCoy's faces darken at the implication that he was saying, but they often flickered to the figure to his right.

Admiral Dreyes stood rim-rod straight beside Pike; his posture demanded respect and invoked intimidation to even those hardened by war and service. His expressions were completely blank and emotionless. It even made Pike feel slightly restless just being Dreyes' presence.

"Our Captain has not returned to active duty," Spock carefully responded, his words slow as if he was taking to a child.

"I can assure you that your Captain is currently on active duty," Dreyes countered. "But your mission does not require his presence. Captain Kirk is needed elsewhere."

"Where did you send Jim off to?" McCoy snarled, not even slightly fazed by Dreyes' presence. In the beginning, he had gone to Starfleet because he had nothing left; now, he stayed because of Jim.

Dreyes gave McCoy a glare – one that he readily returned. "That's classified and above your pay grade."

"I do not believe it is above mine, Admiral," Spock cut in smoothly. "The safety and wellbeing of Captain Kirk is one of my many duties as his First Officer, and as son of Ambassador Sarek, my clearance level is high enough to be given information regarding Captain Kirk's whereabouts."

"Not high enough, Commander Spock." Irritation was clear on Dreyes' face now. "I am here to discuss the Enterprise's next mission, not Kirk. The Enterprise will be going to Zenobia to investigate whether the claims of an imminent coup are accurate or not. We have gathered intel that the colony's government may have been replaced by a group of men who are not pleased with their current alliance with Starfleet."

McCoy crossed his arms. "Did Jim gather that data for you?"

Dreyes gave the doctor a hard, level stare. "No, Kirk is not involved in this at all."

"Then he is not aware of our mission? We cannot ship out without our Captain, Admiral," Spock said.

"He is very aware of your mission and he has signed off on it despite knowing that he will not be onboard when the Enterprise is shipped off."

"Jim wouldn't let us go without him," McCoy argued.

"Dr. McCoy, you were given a limited access to Kirk's history. You know what happened when Kirk was thirteen."

Pike, McCoy, and Spock all stiffened at that. Out of everything that they had ever known about Jim was that Tarsus was something that he would never be able to forget. Even now, McCoy still had to remind Jim to eat, Spock would have to pull Jim out of his nightmarish flashbacks, and Pike had to keep careful track of the remaining survivors for Jim, because only heaven knew what Jim would do if something happened to the last of "his kids".

Tarsus was never a light subject, but with Jim? It was a ticking time bomb.

Dreyes glanced at their expressions. "So you all know about it."

It wasn't a question, but a statement. Even still, no one answered Dreyes.

"Fine, that makes it easier to talk about. We have reason to believe that one of the reasons that the coup that may or may not arise is because a famine has spread across their land. While the supplies should last for another few years – far more time needed for Starfleet to step in and give aid – the horror that was Tarsus IV still remains fresh on everyone's mind."

Dreyes started to pace around, his hands clasped behind his back. His entire body language screamed of uncertainty and concern. "We don't know if drastic measures have been taken, which is why we want the Enterprise – the flagship – to go and ensure the safety and wellbeing of the citizens on Zenobia before it escalates and another Tarsus IV situation occurs."

Pike frowned. "I'm surprised that Jim didn't bully his way into this mission. It doesn't seem likely that he would let the Enterprise go to Zenobia without him. Out of everyone in Starfleet, Jim is the best qualified to handle such a situation."

Almost immediately, Dreyes stopped in mid-stride. "I told Kirk a different version than what I am telling you now."

"You lied to him," accused Spock. His raised eyebrow was angry.

"It was a kindness, Commander Spock. I am well aware that Kirk is more than qualified to handle these types of situations. Hell, he lived through it, but that is also why I chose not to bring him onto this. You are the closest people to Kirk. Can you tell me with absolute certainty that Kirk will be able to complete this mission?"

There was no hesitation in Spock. "Yes."

"But can he do it without breaking down into smaller pieces?" questioned Dreyes. "I have seen war and I have seen cruelty, but nothing could ever compare to what Kodos did. I was on the rescue ships. I saw the last shreds of humanity, if you could even call it that, left of Tarsus IV, and it has haunted me since. I was there for only a brief moment and I am still affected by it. How affected do you think someone would be if they had lived through such hell?"

Dreyes paused to let his words sink in. "Kirk is our best operative, but even if he wasn't, I would still would not subject him to a situation that could quite possibly turn out to be a second Tarsus. It would be cruel and unusual punishment. Even I am not quite capable of that."

When Pike, Spock, and McCoy fell silent, Dreyes spoke again. "The Enterprise will be shipping off in two days time. Captain Royce Wolff will be taking command for Kirk temporarily. That is all. You are dismissed."

Spock and McCoy shared a look, but there was nothing left to say when Dreyes' mind was clearly set. Without another word, the two exited Pike's office, leaving the two Admirals alone.

"Where have you sent Jim?" asked Pike, turning his chair to face Dreyes directly. "And don't pull the clearance crap on me. I have the right to know what mission you've sent Jim on to stop him from going on the Enterprise's."

"The way you say it, Christopher, makes it seem like I'm purposely stalling Kirk."

"I know Jim, Adrian," Pike said, purposely using Dreyes' first name. "Even if he's haunted by Tarsus, he wouldn't let his crew go out there alone."

"I told you, I didn't let him know the whole story."

"Then what did you tell him to get him to back off?"

"That his crew was going to Zenobia for safe-keeping," Dreyes responded lightly, turning to leave.

"And what's the real story, Adrian?" Pike demanded, standing up in anger.

Dreyes just gave Pike a wary and guarded smile. "I just told you."

And then he was gone too, much to Pike's irritation.

Pike fell back down in his chair, rubbing his face tiredly. He hadn't seen or even heard from Jim in days. Jim had literally fell off the face of the earth. Not even Pike's connections were enough to find Jim's shadow, let alone his person. If Jim didn't want to be found, then he wasn't going to be unless he chose to reveal himself.

The worry and concern for Jim alone was going to give Pike an ulcer. But now, Dreyes had sprung this new mission on the Enterprise. Pike had promised Jim that he would keep his family safe, but he didn't know how to. If the situation on Zenobia was as dire as Dreyes made it out to be, then the Enterprise had to go. The flagship had resources and the prestige to counter a possible Tarsus scenario. Combined with McCoy's medical skills and Spock's knowledge of botanics, the Enterprise would be perfect.

For the first time and in a long, long time, Pike had no idea what to do.

His comm. beeped and he reached for it. He glanced at it and sighed. McCoy was bitching again. That man truly was the definition of a mother hen, but at the same time, he had every reason to do so now.

After a moment of trying, but failing, to rub the tension out of his head, Pike typed out a quick reply.

He was far too old to be getting drinks with the likes of McCoy, but if that was what helped ease the edge of McCoy and Spock's anxiety, then he guessed that was what he had to do.

It was going to be a long night. It was going to be a quiet night, despite the bar-fight that McCoy almost got into and the surprise visitor he had going home.

When Pike looked back to this fateful evening, he should've known that the quiet was never a good sign.

It was only ever quiet right before a storm, and what happened next could only be described as a fucking hurricane.

After the meeting with Dreyes and Pike, Spock and McCoy strode down the street in silence for a few minutes, just pondering over all the implications of their next mission.

"So, Pike seems to be pretty out of the loop," McCoy said quietly. "He looked as surprised as we were to hear about Zenobia. You think that Dreyes is telling the truth about that?"

"I do not know. I am hesitant to trust the man."

"Same here. Why do I get the feeling that he's trying to play everyone?"

"You do realize that Jim does the same thing?"

"Yeah, but not to us. Never to us."

"Never? I do believe that Jim will do whatever it takes to keep us safe. It is in his nature."

"Stop fighting against everything I say, you damn hobgoblin. We're talkin' bout Dreyes right now." McCoy lowered his voice, his eyes cautiously watching the people pass by them. "Do you think Dreyes is the one behind all of this? The whole scheme to bring Jim to his knees?"

"It is possible, but if Jim has agreed to Admiral Dreyes' proposal, then I suppose that we should trust his decision. Jim is not one to be easily fooled."

"But what if he is? Do you really think sending us further away from Jim will stop Dreyes?" McCoy shot back. "We can't protect him if we're not near him, Spock. I can't save himif I'm not by his side."

"But you cannot do anything if you do not know anything either. If Admiral Dreyes truly is responsible for the mess we are in, then we have to be prepared and gather more data. Knowledge is power."

McCoy groaned. "Thanks for nothing. What's with Vulcans and speaking in vague clichés?"

Spock chose not to respond, sensing that McCoy was far from done. As usual, he was correct.

"What are we going to do? Will we really leave without Jim? And who the hell is this Captain Wolff guy? I've never heard of him."

"I have heard of a Commander Wolff, but I do not know much of him. He was recently promoted to Captain. The Enterprise will be his first assignment as Captain."

"That seems a bit suspicious, doesn't it? For an average man that barely caught the eye of anyone to suddenly become the Captain of the Enterprise?"

"Not necessarily, doctor. We are under the command of Jim, whose reputation and abilities exceed even those known as extraordinary. Under that influence, it is understandable that 'normal' and 'average' has become mundane to us. The fact that I have not heard anything regarding Captain Wolff can mean one of two things: he is absolutely ordinary or he simply has not done anything erroneous enough to catch my attention."

McCoy snorted. "Basically, you're far superior to everyone else and if you haven't noticed them, then they're not important, is that it?"

"I said no such thing. Were you not listening to me, doctor?"

McCoy waved his hand, "That's beside the point. What are we going to do? We can't just leave Jim behind, even if he told us to. Rule number twenty-six: leave no man behind."

"I do not intend to. Shall we meet at your residence?" Spock asked as he watched McCoy pull out his communicator and type out a message to Pike.

"Why my place? Why not yours?"

"Your apartment is located away from the center of the city and relatively quiet compared to the rest of ours. Also, for a conversation such as ours, we should not meet at a bar or restaurant where we can be easily overheard."

"Jim always said that if you're gonna talk business in public, always do it at the busiest and noisiest place."

"Is that one of Jim's rules? I have not heard it before."

"It's not a rule. Just something he mentioned to me before." McCoy looked at his comm. once it beeped. "Pike's in."

"Unsurprising. He cares for Jim like he is his son."

"He wants to meet up at the Waterhog at 1900 hours."

"Is that a bar?"

"Yeah. One of the dingiest and loudest one you'll find in this city. It's Jim's favorite place to go to when he wants to be alone."

Spock found himself, once again, unsurprised by the oxymoron that was Jim Kirk, and wisely chose to refrain from commenting on it. He glanced over at McCoy who was looking wistfully at the sky and squinting at the falling sun.

No doubt the doctor was reminiscing on the days where he and Jim were relatively free from the chains of Starfleet Command. Back then, all they had to worry about were passing their classes and what to do the next day, but they were content. Happy, even.

It all seemed so far away now, those days full of laughter and companionship.

Even if Jim was returned to them and all the danger had passed, Spock wasn't sure if those days would return with him.

They would never be able to go back to what was because they were never going to let Jim leave their sight again, Starfleet be damned.

McCoy sighed as he pushed through the darkened apartment. Tiredly, he flicked on the lights, barely glancing at the barren room as he made his way to the kitchen. The place was a simple studio with just the bare essentials. There was a two-person, suede couch in the living room, lined against the wall; a metal-lined, glass coffee table was placed in front of it.

There was an empty closet, a blank desk and chair, and a simple, double-sized bed just a few feet away from his make-shift living room. The kitchen was just as bare – there were two sets of dishes, bowls, cups, and tumblers in the cabinets. There were no pots, pans, or any kitchen utensils at all. Unlike most other homes, there was a replicator in place of a refrigerator. But where there was a lack of, there was ample amount of alcohol to make up for it. Whiskey, bourbon, and scotch were stored carefully on the counter, which was exactly what McCoy went right for.

He poured bourbon straight into his tumbler – the one that Jim had actually gotten for him specifically – as he looked out around Jim's apartment.

He wasn't sure why he ended up at Jim's place. Usually, when they were grounded, Jim and McCoy would spend most of their time either in Georgia with Joanna or at McCoy's. Jim had a place just because it was expected of him, but he wasn't used to staying still. He was used to being on the move, always running from something. His apartment was as bare as Jim had meant it to be because it wasn't home for him. It never would be.

Which is probably why McCoy found himself here while he was worried sick over Jim. If Jim wasn't around, McCoy didn't feel as stable as he would've if Jim was around, slung causally over his shoulders, drunk and happy.

Pike didn't give them any more information after meeting up with him after hours. He was more strained than McCoy had ever seen him. It almost made McCoy feel bad hounding the man for information.

He wasn't sure if he fully understood the depth of Jim's connection with Pike. He knew that Jim never had a father-figure and he probably latched onto Pike like a duckling, which is something that McCoy could relate to. Between the two, McCoy wasn't sure who starting clinging to the other first.

Bringing the open bottle with him, McCoy wandered out into the living room, plopping down the couch with a heavy sigh. It was then when he saw a small, white envelope lying on the coffee table.

On it was a single word in elegant script. Bones.

McCoy swallowed harshly. He would recognize that handwriting anywhere, even if it didn't spell out Jim's nickname for him. He reached for it, setting down his drink at the same time, and opened it.

"Bones", he read. "I'm sorry for pulling another disappearing act on you. I know I promised to always let you know about my missions, but this time was different. I can't say much except that it's all going to go to hell soon."

Bones almost tore the handwritten letter apart at that, but he kept on.

"And I can't stop it. I won't either. There's a bigger plot, a bigger picture. I have an idea of what that is, and it's supposed to ruin me, but I have to let it happen. My head is still a bulls-eye and I can't keep walking around with that on me. You'll all be put in danger, and that's not something I'm going to stand for."

"Just in case things don't work out as I plan, I've left you everything I own. My apartment, everything I own, and oh, I started a college fund for Joanna. You'll find out how to access that money if my will is read."

There was such heavy relief at the fact that Jim had said "if" and not "when". It meant that Jim was still fighting. He still had hope.

He continued reading. "I think there's quite a bit accumulated now, so if there's anything left over, take it for yourself and get a good lawyer. Get your girl back, Bones, so that she'll always be waiting for you when you come back to Earth."

Some scribbles were drawn here as if Jim was trying to gather his thoughts, to find the right words. Jim never did excel in expressing his emotions. The next paragraph had jumped to a different topic entirely. Bones almost wanted to laugh, knowing full well that Jim probably decided he had enough of being too open and moved on, but he couldn't find it in him to even smile.

"Your next mission should have been given to you today."

Bones had no idea how Jim knew that. The fucking bastard must already be back in the city and was just hiding in the shadows, purposely choosing to leave this stupid letter than show up in person.

"I know, I know. You're mad at me, but Bones, I can't bring myself to see you or the others. It'll make it too hard for me to do what I need to do. I can't let my resolve break now. I just…can't. But there is something that you guys can do for me. Go to Zenobia. I've made a deal with Dreyes. You all should be safe there. Safe until I can come back."

So it really looked like Jim was given a different version of Zenobia. Now, Bones was confused. He wasn't exactly Jim who could see all the variables, all the possibilities, and see the bigger picture. He was a genius in medicine, not in strategy.

"Bones, whatever happens, I need you to let things play out. Trust me. It'll all be fine, I promise. Just, listen to Pike. And whatever you do, please be safe. Keep the others safe, Bones. And take care of yourself."

The letter ended with a simple signed, Jim.

God. It was just like Jim to be so fucking ambiguous. There were more questions than answers now and Bones didn't know how to make heads or tails out of everything. Times like these were where Jim thrived – he was always the one that had a plan, the one that always relieved anxiety and fear.

When everything seemed to be falling apart, it was always up to Jim to solve everything.

With Jim missing and out of action, who were they to turn to now?

In the end, it turned out that Jim wasn't the only one pulling a disappearing act. When Chekov didn't respond to Sulu, the pilot messaged everyone, asking for his friend's whereabouts. No one knew where the boy genius had gone, but they didn't have time to search for him.

At about 0800 hours the next day, McCoy, Spock, Uhura, and Scotty were called to Pike's office for a full briefing. The five of them had already settled in, ready for the briefing of their next mission, when a man in his early thirties came in.

"Ah, Captain Wolff, it's nice of you to join us," Pike greeted easily.

Wolff flashed them all a bright smile that made his small nose crinkle a little. "It's such an honor to meet all of you!" He rushed forward and started to vigorously shake everyone's hand. "Commander Spock, I have read all your papers on the fundamentals of singularities. You are truly an astounding intellect. And Doctor McCoy, the legends of your medical prowess have spread throughout the Academy and Starfleet. Lieutenant Commander Scott, you are quite a character as well! I cannot wait to work alongside of you all."

He turned to Uhura, his eyes twinkling with the intent to flirt. "Lieutenant Uhura, you are far more beautiful than the rumors say," he said as he leaned down and kissed her hand. "I am most interested in what your tongue can do."

The double innuendo was something that Uhura was very used to, but not from someone that she didn't know – not from someone who wasn't Kirk. And honestly, she didn't know how to take it. She couldn't exactly follow her natural instincts and slap the man across the face. He was supposed to be her commanding officer from this point on.

All of a sudden, she felt another crushing blow caused by Kirk's disappearance. Kirk respected her and her abilities, not simply because she was just another pretty face. But now? She felt degraded to only her physical attributes and there was nothing she could do about it.

"Settle down, Wolff," Pike said, almost in a monotone. The over-eager man seemed more like an overgrown puppy to him and it was absolutely mind-blowing to think that Wolff could even own up to an eighth of what Jim was worth.

"Oh, sorry, sir. I was just excited to meet my new crewmates," Wolff responded with a sheepish grin as he settled down into the last available chair.

He had barely sat down when Sulu burst into the room, his face flushed and completely out of breath.

"Lieutenant Sulu!" snapped Pike, "This is a closed meeting!"

"I'm sorry, sir, but Kirk's just been arrested," Sulu breathed out, still gasping for air.

"What?!" Pike rose to his feet, shock and fear written all over his face.

Spock, McCoy, Scotty, and Uhura weren't too far behind and they all reached out to bodily drag Sulu deeper into the office.

"What happened?" demanded Spock. "Why has Jim been arrested? And how do you know this?"

"I saw him being dragged away by Starfleet officers. They're saying that Kirk killed Dreyes."

"Dreyes is dead?" blinked Pike.

"Officially unconfirmed, sir, but there was a stretcher with a covered body coming out from Dreyes' office."

Immediately, Pike swung around and barked at Wolff who was standing not too far from them with his eyes wide and confused. "You're dismissed, Wolff. I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but by Starfleet protocol, you keep your mouth shut, do you understand?"

"Y-yes…of course, sir. Excuse me…" murmured Wolff, and pushing through to leave. His face was white as a sheet and he was shaking, no doubt grief-stricken that his mentor was assumed dead by the hands of his hero.

Pike quickly shut the door behind Wolf and bullied Sulu into a chair. He was in no better state than Wolff; he looked as though he had been bleached and there was a distant look in his eyes. There was no doubt in any of their minds that Sulu had seen Dreyes' body before it was covered.

Seeing death wasn't something new to the crew of the Enterprise. Hell, they had seen Jim take down men and aliens alike without even batting an eye, but it was different when it was someone they knew. That made all the difference in the world.

"You have to tell me what happened, Sulu. Now!" Pike said, shaking the poor man.

"He was stabbed to death. I don't know how many times. There was a lot of blood," swallowed Sulu. "I didn't see much, but Kirk's hands were red."

McCoy fired off the next round of questions. "Was there motive? Do you know what they're saying to make them believe that it was Jim who killed Dreyes?"

"The soldiers said that they found a document on Dreyes' desk. That he was signing over the Enterprise to Wolff."

"We all knew tha'," Scotty said. "He's takin' command fer Jim while he's out doin' God knows what."

Sulu shook his head. "No, the document said that it transfer was going to be permanent."

Spock glanced sharply up at Pike and McCoy. "Jim would not murder an Admiral for a reason such as that." But there was uncertainty in his words.

Uhura nodded her head in agreement. "Kirk isn't capable of it, right, Leonard?"

McCoy's face grew grim and he took a second to respond. "He is and he would."

She gaped at him. "You're not honestly insinuating that Kirk did this!"

"Of course not!" he growled. "But I'm not saying that it's out of his capabilities! He'd do it if we were in danger and you know it."

"But he's not stupid enough to get caught," said Sulu. "I've seen him pull some serious ninja shit on his missions. If he wanted Dreyes dead, we would never know who did it."

"So what should we do?" asked Uhura.

"Jim left specific instructions that you guys are to go on your mission, regardless of what happens to him," Pike responded lowly.

"What? We won't leave him when he's facing murder charges!" she protested.

"You're going to have to. The mission has been cleared. The Enterprise is going to set off to Zenobia regardless of what happens to Jim. I'll do everything in my power to help him, trust me. There's nothing you all can do for him anyway."

Scotty immediately crossed his arms, defiant. "I ain't goin' if Jim won't be there."

"You have to, Scotty. You promised Jim that you'll take care of his ship when he's gone, didn't you?" Pike said gently. "Rule number forty-three: never break a promise."

Jim had made Scotty promise to take care of the Enterprise, no matter where he was or what he was doing. She was their girl, and Scotty wasn't one to go back on his word, especially one that he made to Jim. His posture sagged, defeated, and he spoke no more against the matter.

Pike looked at Spock, Sulu, and Uhura. "What about the rest of you? Jim told Dreyes that he wanted you all to go without him. Now, I don't know if Jim actually said that or if he agreed for a different reason, but you guys need to understand that as officers of Starfleet, you still have duties. You can't stop just because Jim isn't around. He wouldn't want you to either."

When all three faces (except for McCoy because he knew how this was going to end) looked highly determined and rebellious, Pike turned hard.

"Jim made a deal with Dreyes to send you to Zenobia for your own safety, but that's not all. You of all people know how far Jim has come and what he has overcome to get to where he is now. For the first time in his life, he has something he wants to return to: you." Pike pointed at them for emphasis. "He's not just protecting you guys. He's protecting his home, which won't be there if you idiots don't get your heads out of your asses and do what I tell you to do!"

He glared them all down. "I don't want to hear another word against this, do you understand me? If not for yourselves, but for Jim. Now, I want you to keep your heads down and do as you're told. For Jim."

Spock, Sulu, and Uhura's shoulders slumped in resignation. Even Spock could not argue against the logic or the higher authority, despite the conflicting emotions.

"Wait! What about Chekov?" burst out Sulu.

Pike gave him a confused frown. "What about Chekov?"

"I think something's happened to him. I haven't heard from him since lunch yesterday. He always takes that alley shortcut home, and I've told him that it was a bad idea. What if he got mugged and got taken somewhere?"

"Doubtful," said McCoy.

Uhura tilted her head curiously at him. "What makes you say that, Leonard?"

"Jim's been teaching the kid some self-defense moves."

"Ah dun think it's bin 'elpful though," Scotty said. "Ah've seen them at it. Jim's too kind ta properly teach Chekov."

Sulu frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it ain't likely tha' Jim'll knock the laddie on his ass. Not much ya can teach if yer handicapped from the start."

"Kirk throws me to the ground all the time!"

"But you're trained in combat," said Uhura, "Whereas Chekov is trained in analysis and deskwork. There's a difference. Still, I don't think you should worry about Chekov. With his skills, he's usually called on by Starfleet to do some work for them. I bet you that he just got caught up with something."

"That's exactly what happened," Pike confirmed, nodding as soon as he figured out where Sulu was going. "I've heard that several programs within the Academy have been hacked and sabotaged by some kid who thought he was as smart as Jim. He's been caught and punished accordingly, but he made a big enough of a mess that they need to bring in Chekov to fix everything. He's been busy since yesterday, which is probably why you haven't seen or heard from him. Chekov's going to be grounded for this mission."

Pike moved back to his desk, sitting down. "I'm actually quite glad he will be too. I'll need his help to dig up anything that'll help out Jim." He looked at them again, taking in all the worried and distraught gazes. "I'll take care of Jim and Chekov. The rest of you, just focus on your mission, alright? Be careful."

The five of them nodded.

"Dismissed."

Without another word, they piled out. Pike had no doubt that they would try to talk to Jim before they were shipped out, but he knew that it wasn't going to happen.

If Jim got caught for killing an Admiral, there was going to be some harsh times ahead of him. The Patriot Act that the Americans used back in the 21st century was sometimes brought back, especially in situations where there was suspected treason. And murder of an Admiral was high on that list.

Jim was criminal number one now, and one that was regarded as highly dangerous because of all his skills. They weren't going to take any chances with Jim. He was going to be locked up in the most secure prison that Starfleet had in San Francisco and refuse him any visitors. And that was after they try to extract information out of him.

This must've been what Jim was talking about last night – the hell in a handbasket.

Pike sighed and rubbed his face tiredly.

He could only hope that Jim's plan was going to work.

Otherwise, no one could save Jim Kirk now.

To be continued...

So, I managed to end my semester with pretty decent grades. Yay! Purely on accident, haha! But as much as I want to promise that updates will be faster because school's out, I can't. I'm a pretty slow writer and I do have an internship lined up soon, so I'll make updates whenever I can. I do have the next chapter almost done, so that should be up pretty soon. I appreciate you guys sticking around and supporting me!

Thanks for reading and hope you review!

Cheers,

Yuna